Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Draining
Standing water left in the bottom of a Frigidaire dishwasher is most often a blocked filter or drain hose rather than a failed pump. Clear the filter basket in the sump first — on most machines that resolves it. If the tub still holds water after a drain cycle, the drain pump or its control circuit is the likely fault and needs a technician.
Typical repair
$225–$470
incl. $75–$120 call-out
Usual part
Drain pump or hose
$150–$350 parts & labour
Safe to check yourself
4 of 6
causes, before calling out
Want it diagnosed today?
1-888-298-3714Why a Frigidaire dishwasher stops draining
Ordered by how often each one turns out to be the cause.
Blocked filter basket in the sump
You can check thisFood debris, labels and grease collect in the cylindrical filter at the base of the tub. Once it blocks, water cannot reach the pump inlet at all.
What to do: Remove the bottom rack, twist out the filter cylinder, and rinse it under a hot tap. Check the flat mesh screen underneath it too.
Kinked or clogged drain hose
You can check thisThe hose runs from the pump to the sink drain or disposal. A kink behind the machine, or a grease plug where it meets the disposal, stops flow while the pump still runs.
What to do: Look behind the machine for a crushed or sharply bent hose. Detach the end at the disposal and check for a blockage.
Garbage disposal knockout plug still in place
You can check thisNew disposals ship with a solid plug in the dishwasher inlet. If the installer left it, the dishwasher can never drain — this is the classic fault on a newly installed machine.
What to do: If the dishwasher or disposal was fitted recently, check whether the knockout plug was removed from the disposal inlet.
Blocked air gap
You can check thisWhere fitted, the chrome air gap on the sink deck prevents backflow. It packs with debris and stops the drain line.
What to do: Lift the air gap cover and clear any debris inside.
Failed drain pump
TechnicianThe pump impeller can seize on a shard of glass or a fruit pit, or the motor winding fails. The machine may hum without moving water.
How it is diagnosed: A technician tests the pump for continuity and correct resistance, then checks for a jammed impeller before replacing it.
Control board or drain-cycle fault
TechnicianIf the board never commands the drain cycle, the pump is fine but never runs. This usually shows as an error code rather than silence.
How it is diagnosed: A technician reads the stored fault code and checks for voltage at the pump during the drain step.
Before you start
- Switch the dishwasher off at the breaker before reaching into the sump — the filter area sits directly above live pump terminals.
- Standing water often hides broken glass and concentrated detergent. Wear gloves and bail the water out with a cup before working.
- Do not run a drain cycle with the filter removed; debris goes straight into the pump.
What is specific to Frigidaire
Frigidaire dishwashers commonly fail at the drain pump and control board. Where the machine is plumbed into a disposal, confirm the knockout plug was removed at installation.
All Frigidaire dishwasher repairWhat the repair costs
| Diagnostic call-out | $75–$120 |
|---|---|
| Drain pump or hose — parts and labour | $150–$350 |
| Typical total | $225–$470 |
| Comparable new unit | $500–$1,500 |
| Typical service life | 10 years |
Typical national ranges, not a quote. True Appliance Repair connects you with independent local technicians — the price depends on your model and what the technician finds.
Common questions
Why is my Frigidaire dishwasher not draining?
Blocked filter basket in the sump is the most common cause. Food debris, labels and grease collect in the cylindrical filter at the base of the tub. Once it blocks, water cannot reach the pump inlet at all.
How much does it cost to fix a Frigidaire dishwasher that is not draining?
Expect roughly $225–$470 for a typical repair, covering the drain pump or hose plus labour and the $75–$120 diagnostic call-out. Parts and labour alone run $150–$350. These are typical national ranges, not a quote — the actual price depends on your model and what the technician finds.
Is it worth repairing, or should I replace it?
A repair at $225–$470 is well under half the $500–$1,500 cost of a comparable new unit, so repair is usually the economical choice within the 10-year typical service life. Past that age the calculation shifts toward replacement.
Can I fix this myself?
4 of the 6 common causes are safe to check yourself, starting with blocked filter basket in the sump. The remainder involve testing components under power and should go to a technician. Switch the dishwasher off at the breaker before reaching into the sump — the filter area sits directly above live pump terminals.
How long does the repair take?
Most dishwasher repairs of this type are completed in a single visit once the fault is confirmed, provided the part is a common one. Parts for this repair are usually stocked or available quickly.
Is there anything specific to Frigidaire with this fault?
Frigidaire dishwashers commonly fail at the drain pump and control board. Where the machine is plumbed into a disposal, confirm the knockout plug was removed at installation.
Still not fixed?
Tell us what your Frigidaire dishwasher is doing and we will connect you with a local technician who repairs Frigidaire dishwashers every day.
1-888-298-3714